POLITICAL MOTIVATION FOR FRENCH REQUEST FOR NAVAL AIR SUPPORT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01443R000200220002-5
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 7, 1998
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: April 6, 1954
• Content Type: BRIEF

Approved For Release 20 R01 443R000200220002-5
NSC BRIEFING 6 April 1954
INFORMATION ONLY
POLITICAL MOTIVATION FOR FRENCH REQUEST FOR
NAVAL AIR SUPPORT
I. New phase in French position on inter-
vention
A. Charge of Chinese intervention not
made by French before 4 April request
though obviously known for months.
B. Dien Bien Phu has apparently con-
vinced French drastic steps necessary
to ensure Geneva position.
1. French now recognize permanent
loss of privileged position in
Indochina.
2. Alternatives if Geneva fails:
a. A Dunkirk -- militarily
infeasible
b. Negotiations with a
strong Ho
c. UN intervention -- slow
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an unce a n.
d. American intervention
3. Dien Bien Phu and imminence
of Geneva counterbalance fear of
provoking Chinese attacks.
II. If US rejects request:
A. France would be freer at Geneva
to make concessions -- EDC as well as
Indochina
B. France could better press for US
concessions at Geneva.
III. If US is involved militarily:
A. US position then same as on Korean
truce talks.
B. French public more amenable to war.
C. France could turn operation over
to US if conference failed.
INFORMATION ONLY
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